WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% import tariff on any country purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela. The decision, which Trump revealed Monday on his social media platform, Truth Social, will take effect on April 2—a date he described as “Liberation Day in America.” 

According to Trump, the measure aims to curb migration and crime, alleging that Venezuela is actively sending dangerous criminals to the United States. The move appears to primarily target China, a major buyer of Venezuelan crude oil, and is expected to further strain relations between Washington and Caracas, where President Nicolás Maduro remains in power. 

Trump accused Venezuela of deliberately sending "tens of thousands of high-level criminals" to the U.S., including members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. He labeled the South American nation as "deeply hostile to the United States and the freedoms we stand for." 

The tariffs come at a time when Venezuela’s crude oil exports have reached their highest level in five years. Additionally, the Trump administration recently ordered U.S. oil giant Chevron to cease all operations in Venezuela by April 3.